10.15 Research Recommendations

Data collection has been and continues to be carried out on a few very particular aspects of recent heritage in Argyll, such as deserted settlements and railway signal boxes, but there have been few attempts to fill the gaps since the RCAHMS Argyll volumes. There is a need to identify new areas of research and attract funding.

There has been no synthesis to put the above data collection work into context (for example, see Rathlin Island by Forsythe and McConkey 2012). A synthesis of this work needs to be put in place for Argyll.

Interrogation of survey field notes for descriptions of Modern Period features and sites (for example Campbell and Sandeman's field survey notes)

The extent of private archives is not well known so there is the potential for material to be currently unavailable to researchers. The value of archives could be better advertised and attract more attention and funding.

The condition of private archives are also unknown. Private archives could contain items important and relevant to this period, which if left unprotected could suffer damage or loss.